Stanford scientists have found that the brains of men and women work differently. Scientists have discovered 1,000 genes that are much more active in one sex than in the other.
Experts analyzed how the brains of male and female mice differ by examining areas that program "rating, dating, mating, and hating" behavior. In analyzing tissue extracted from these brain structures, they identified more than 1,000 genes that are more active in the brains of the same sex.
"Using these genes as starting points, we identified specific groups of brain cells that control certain gender-typical behaviors," said study author Nirao Shah, professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences and neurobiology.
These genes make men sexually assertive and women more caring toward their children.
And some genes have been found to be risk factors for brain diseases, which are more common in individuals of the same sex.
"Mice are not human. But it's reasonable to think that similar types of brain cells would play a similar role in our typical gender-specific social behavior," Shah added.
The study in question was published in the journal Cell.